1 Timothy 5

Darby Translation

5 Rebuke not an elder sharply, but exhort [him] as a father, younger [men] as brethren,

²elder women as mothers, younger women as sisters, with all purity.

³Honour widows who are really widows;

⁴but if any widow have children or descendants, let them learn first to be pious as regards their own house, and to render a return on their side to [their] parents; for this is acceptable in the sight of God.

⁵Now she who [is] a widow indeed, and is left alone, has put [her] hope in God, and continues in supplications and prayers night and day.

⁶But she that lives in habits of self-indulgence is dead [while] living.

⁷And these things enjoin, that they may be irreproachable.

⁸But if any one does not provide for his own, and specially for those of [his] house, he has denied the faith, and is worse than the unbeliever.

⁹Let a widow be put upon the list, being of not less than sixty years, [having been] wife of one man,

¹⁰borne witness to in good works, if she have brought up children, if she have exercised hospitality, if she have washed saints' feet, if she have imparted relief to the distressed, if she have diligently followed every good work.

¹¹But younger widows decline; for when they grow wanton against Christ, they desire to marry,

¹²being guilty, because they have cast off their first faith.

¹³And, at the same time, they learn also [to be] idle, going about to people's houses; and not only idle, but also gossipers and meddlers, speaking things not becoming.

¹⁴I will therefore that the younger marry, bear children, rule the house, give no occasion to the adversary in respect of reproach.

¹⁵For already some have turned aside after Satan.

¹⁶If any believing man or woman have widows, let them impart relief to them, and let not the assembly be charged, that it may impart relief to those [that are] widows indeed.

¹⁷Let the elders who take the lead [among the saints] well be esteemed worthy of double honour, specially those labouring in word and teaching;

¹⁸for the scripture says, Thou shalt not muzzle an ox that treadeth out corn, and, The workman [is] worthy of his hire.

¹⁹Against an elder receive not an accusation unless where there are two or three witnesses.

²⁰Those that sin convict before all, that the rest also may have fear.

²¹I testify before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, that thou keep these things without prejudice, doing nothing by favour.

²²Lay hands quickly on no man, nor partake in others' sins. Keep thyself pure.

²³Drink no longer only water, but use a little wine on account of thy stomach and thy frequent illnesses.

²⁴Of some men the sins are manifest beforehand, going before to judgment, and some also they follow after.

²⁵In like manner good works also are manifest beforehand, and those that are otherwise cannot be hid.

1 Timothy 5

New International Version

Widows, Elders and Slaves

5 Do not rebuke an older man^(A) harshly,^(B) but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men^(C) as brothers, ²older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.

³Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need.^(D) ⁴But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents,^(E) for this is pleasing to God.^(F) ⁵The widow who is really in need^(G) and left all alone puts her hope in God^(H) and continues night and day to pray^(I) and to ask God for help. ⁶But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives.^(J) ⁷Give the people these instructions,^(K) so that no one may be open to blame. ⁸Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied^(L) the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

⁹No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband, ¹⁰and is well known for her good deeds,^(M) such as bringing up children, showing hospitality,^(N) washing the feet^(O) of the Lord’s people, helping those in trouble^(P) and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds.

¹¹As for younger widows, do not put them on such a list. For when their sensual desires overcome their dedication to Christ, they want to marry. ¹²Thus they bring judgment on themselves, because they have broken their first pledge. ¹³Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also busybodies^(Q) who talk nonsense,^(R) saying things they ought not to. ¹⁴So I counsel younger widows to marry,^(S) to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander.^(T) ¹⁵Some have in fact already turned away to follow Satan.^(U)

¹⁶If any woman who is a believer has widows in her care, she should continue to help them and not let the church be burdened with them, so that the church can help those widows who are really in need.^(V)

¹⁷The elders^(W) who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor,^(X) especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. ¹⁸For Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,”^[a]^(Y) and “The worker deserves his wages.”^[b]^(Z) ¹⁹Do not entertain an accusation against an elder^(AA) unless it is brought by two or three witnesses.^(AB) ²⁰But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove^(AC) before everyone, so that the others may take warning.^(AD) ²¹I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus^(AE) and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism.

²²Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands,^(AF) and do not share in the sins of others.^(AG) Keep yourself pure.^(AH)

²³Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine^(AI) because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.

²⁴The sins of some are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them. ²⁵In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden forever.